After sweeping Slippery Rock on Sunday, IUP returned to Podbielski Field on Tuesday with hopes of a repeat performance.
The Crimson Hawks took game one of the doubleheader, 6-5, thanks to three home runs by Hope Jones, Kaitlyn Beers and Jenna Rhue and a stellar pitching performance by freshman Amanda Fischer, as she struck-out a career-high nine Slippery Rock batters in 4.1 innings of work.
The Rock took a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning, but Renee Wahl tied things up in the bottom of the inning, while Hope Jones drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth.
IUP looked to complete the series sweep in game two, but Slippery Rock jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the second. Steady pitching allowed the Crimson Hawks to come back and tie the game in the seventh after Rachel Rodriguez drove in a pair on a single, but The Rock would score one in the eighth inning on a fielder’s choice. Kelsi Anderson would retire the side for IUP in the bottom half, etching a 8-7 win in extra innings.
IUP is now 3-1 on the season and will return to action on Friday and Saturday for a four-game series with California (Pa.).
GAME SCORES:
GAME ONE: IUP – 6, SRU – 5
GAME TWO: SRU – 8, IUP – 7 (8 innings)
